Late afternoon sun

(C) 2019 Dale DiMauro

At this time of year the setting sun can be magical. A slice of the late day sun across the woodland edge can warm the landscape and thus, your soul. It highlights and brings attention to an otherwise ordinary landscape.

When working on this watercolor I observed the sun warmed the landscape well up into the atmosphere. I put colors into the sky that I wouldn't normally consider. There is permanent rose, raw sienna, cerulean and a lemon yellow all in this sky. Regardless, the warm wash of the woodland edge against the cold landscape at this time of year radiates.

I have learned through trial and error that the landscape is best when a few values darker than the sky or the picture will come across as weak, lacking a solid footing.